Georgians have the chance to win a lifetime hunting and fishing license in the next edition of the Lifetime License Contest sponsored by the Georgia Natural Resources Foundation.

Starting August 11, 2014, participants can fill out an entry form by visiting the Wildlife Resources Division Facebook page (www.facebook.com/WildlifeResourcesDivisionGADNR) or the Georgia Natural Resources Foundation page (https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaNaturalResourcesFoundation). The deadline to enter is Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014. Participants must meet the requirements to qualify for a youth or adult lifetime license, which can be found at www.georgiawildlife.com. Winners will be selected and notified Aug. 22, and announced to the public via the Georgia Natural Resources Foundation’s Facebook page soon after.

“This has become a popular contest among hunters and anglers in Georgia” said Natural Resources Foundation Chairman Glen Wilkins. “What other contest offers the chance at a lifetime of hunting, fishing and access to any wildlife management area, public fishing area and DNR shooting range without ever having to purchase a hunting or fishing license again? We are excited to offer Georgians this unique opportunity to enjoy Georgia’s unmatched hunting and fishing traditions for a lifetime.”

Adult sportsman licenses are for ages 16-64; the youth licenses are for 15 and younger. Lifetime licenses are full privilege sportsman's licenses, and include all state paid recreational hunting and fishing privileges, and access to Wildlife Resources Division properties. Georgia residents 65 and older are already eligible for free lifetime sportsman licenses. Additional information on lifetime license privileges can be found at http://www.georgiawildlife.com/LifetimeLicense.

The mission of the Georgia Natural Resources Foundation is to support DNR efforts to sustain, enhance, protect and conserve the state’s natural, historic and cultural resources, while also recognizing the importance of promoting the development of commerce and industry that use sound environmental practices. Learn more at https://GeorgiaNRF.org.

Sportsman’s Licenses: Bargain That Benefits Wildlife

Those who buy a lifetime sportsman license are still getting a great deal, one that benefits wildlife and all who enjoy the outdoors.

Adult Lifetime Sportsman’s Licenses are available only to residents of Georgia. Lifetime licenses are also available to non-residents younger than 2 and grandchildren younger than 16 years of current Georgia resident lifetime license holders (this does not include free Senior Lifetime License holders). The best license bargain is for children: $200 for younger than 2 and $350 for ages 2-15. That’s a potential savings of more than $2,600 over a lifetime!

The price for ages 16-59 is $500. Military veterans can buy a lifetime license for $400.Discount lifetime licenses for resident adults age 60-64 are $95.

Residents 65 and older can receive a free lifetime license, with an option to pay a one-time fee of $10 for a durable, commemorative plastic card. There’s even a provision for non-resident grandchildren of Georgians who hold a paid Georgia lifetime license!

Applications and more details are at www.georgiawildlife.com/LifetimeLicense, or call 1-800-366-2661.A lifetime license not only provides access to the great outdoors, proceeds support Georgia wildlife and state-managed lands.

DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division uses hunting and fishing license sales to fulfill its wildlife mission. And sales of lifetime sportsman and other licenses are a key measure through which states receive federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration funds.

The federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program channels dedicated excise taxes on sporting equipment to states for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife, their habitats and the hunting, fishing and other recreational opportunities they provide. Funding since the program began in 1937 has topped $14 billion nationwide.

The Wildlife Resources Division uses its share of federal funds for efforts such as providing public fishing areas and managing the state’s 1 million-strong deer herd.

It’s also worth noting that Georgia receives federal funds only for paid licenses. Avid hunters and anglers who buy a discount lifetime license ($95) at age 60, rather than waiting for a free lifetime license at age 65, ensure that their excise taxes are returned to Georgia for the rest of their life.